Welcome to Asheville

HENDERSON COUNTY

County Offices
1 Historic Courthouse Square
Hendersonville 828-697-4809
www.hendersoncountync.org

Chamber of Commerce
204 Kanuga Road
Hendersonville 828-692-1413
www.hendersoncountychamber.org

Some of America’s most spectacular scenery graces beautiful Henderson County, an area known for the warmth of its residents and the appeal of its colorful mountain culture. Thriving local economies, an exceptional quality of life, and world-class recreational opportunities make Henderson County a four-season paradise.

Services
Newcomers to Henderson County can look forward to state-of-the-art healthcare close to home. The leading city of Hendersonville is home to Margaret R. Pardee Memorial Hospital. This full-service community hospital is licensed for 222 beds and maintains more than 220 physicians on staff who represent nearly 35 specialties. Park Ridge Hospital is located in Fletcher, providing an additional multi-specialty healthcare center licensed for 103 beds. Throughout the county, private professionals meet routine and advanced needs from family practice to surgical specialties. The Henderson County Health Department is also active in safeguarding the health of county residents, from inspecting the water supply to patient care.

The K-12 public school network in Henderson County is complemented by a selection of private schools, the majority of which are religiously affiliated. Students of all ages can launch a degree program or earn a variety of degrees and certifications right in Henderson County. Just two miles from the city of Hendersonville in the village of Flat Rock, Blue Ridge Community College enjoys a modern, 140-acre campus graced by exquisite on-site gardens. The complex features shop and laboratory space, classrooms, a library, a learning center, offices, and a student lounge. The addition of the David W. Sink, Jr. Building in 1997 added a dedicated area for several programs including allied health, cosmetology, and the Child Development Center. This facility also added a 405-seat auditorium that benefits the entire community. Near Hendersonville, the UNC Ashville Kellogg Center includes 50 acres of meadows, forest, and wetlands. The Kellogg Center offers conference facilities, a nature trail, and the Center for Craft, Creativity and Design—a regional inter-institutional center of the University of North Carolina.

Lifestyle
From the architectural wonders of Historic Hendersonville to the grandeur of DuPont and Pisgah State Forests, Henderson County provides a postcard-perfect image at every turn. This tranquil area is nestled in the heart of the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area just a short drive from Asheville. Four distinct, mild, and colorful seasons create an idyllic backdrop for outdoor enjoyment and recreation. More than 10,000 acres of pristine DuPont State Forest in the Little River Valley offers mountain and waterfall views along 80 miles of roads and trails. Popular activities include hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. The expansive Pisgah National Forest stretches across the eastern edge of Western North Carolina, where breathtaking scenery encourages outdoor adventures from camping to fishing. One of forest’s many special attractions is the North Mills River Recreational Area in Henderson County, providing picnic sites, campsites, and opportunities for river fishing and tubing. Holmes Educational State Forest offers a series of well-marked trails, accented by exhibits and displays depicting ecology of a managed forest.

Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock brings a season of wonderful arts and cultural entertainment to the area, including the Arts & Humanity Series of concerts and programs. Events include theatrical performances, musical concerts, performance poetry, and humanities lectures. Ongoing art exhibitions and talks on the region’s craft heritage are available at UNC Ashville’s Kellogg Center, while the Henderson County Arts Council maintains another calendar of events. Downtown Hendersonville is a delight for residents and visitors alike who appreciate fine architecture, Southern hometown charm, a rich historic legacy, and colorful annual events. Hendersonville is also home to the Mineral & Lapidary Museum of Henderson County and Historic Johnson Farm, a fine example of a late 19th century farm and tourist retreat. Everyone enjoys the historic Henderson County Curb Market, bringing hand-made or homegrown goods to market and sponsoring special events since 1924. Other high points include the Western North Carolina Air Museum with award-winning restored and replica aircraft, and the horticultural educational opportunities at the Bullington Center. The younger set will want to return often to the Hands-On Child’s Gallery, where learning is always fun. Take your time exploring all that Henderson County has to offer, from historic charm to modern amenities.

City of Hendersonville
City Offices
828-697-3000
http://cityofhendersonville.org

Chamber of Commerce
828-692-1413
www.hendersoncountychamber.org

A city filled with historic charm and contemporary amenities, Hendersonville is the vital heartbeat of Henderson County. Historic Downtown Hendersonville, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1988, has become a cornerstone of economic and cultural growth. The winding downtown district, lined with colorful blooms in planter boxes and leafy trees, creates an inviting backdrop for local businesses, restaurants, and specialty shops. Historic Downtown hosts a wide variety of festivals and activities throughout the year, including the North Carolina Apple Festival, art and antique shows, car shows, and colorful parades. Hendersonville is home to one of the county’s full-service hospitals and benefits from close proximity to the University of North Carolina Ashville’s Kellogg Center and its arts programs as well as the Blue Ridge Community College campus in the adjacent village of Flat Rock. The city entertains residents and visitors with outstanding museums, horticultural and historical education centers, and easy access to world-class outdoor recreation.

Town of Fletcher
Town Hall
828-687-3985
www.fletchernc.org

Chamber of Commerce
828-692-1413
www.hendersoncountychamber.org

Nestled in the breathtaking Blue Ridge Mountains, the growing town of Fletcher is situated between Asheville and Hendersonville in northern Henderson County. Incorporated in 1989, Fletcher offers a desirable, caring community where an efficient and professional local government and involved citizens share a dedication to preserving the outstanding quality of life. Spectacular views, rural acreage, and friendly neighborhoods come together in Fletcher, where history is respected and preserved. The vibrant local economy emphasizes the recreation industry, and Fletcher welcomes many visitors who appreciate close proximity to vast acres of state forest land and virtually unlimited opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities. Fletcher is home to the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center and Fairgrounds with its year-round calendar of events. A world of attractions are minutes from home including the Brevard Music Center, Chimney Rock Park, Lake Lure, the Blue Ridge Parkway, and the North Carolina Arboretum.

Town of Laurel Park
Town Hall
828-693-4840
www.laurelpark.org

Chamber of Commerce
828-692-1413
www.hendersoncountychamber.org

Incorporated in 1925, Laurel Park is a small community that claims unusually beautiful scenery and picturesque vistas of Western North Carolina. Primarily residential in nature, Laurel Park perches at approximately 1,000 feet in elevation to command breathtaking panoramas of the surrounding mountain ranges. Residents and planners are in agreement about preserving and protecting the tranquility of the town in the face of inevitable growth. They are dedicated to maintaining Laurel Park’s character as a residential haven that also supports local small business for a convenient lifestyle. The town lies at the southern edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains just west of Hendersonville and about 26 miles southeast of Asheville. Residents have the advantage of small-town living where neighbors greet each other by name, yet they are minutes from the expanded amenities and attractions in Hendersonville.

Town of Mills River
Town Hall
828-890-2901
www.millsriver.org

Chamber of Commerce
828-692-1413
www.hendersoncountychamber.org

Distinguished as one of the oldest communities in Henderson County, Mills River was founded in 1787 and was once considered the seat of public education for the county. Mills River began as a thriving agricultural community, and many of today’s residents are generational descendents of early settlers. Many continue to own the land that has been in their families since the 1700s and have relatives who served in the Revolutionary War. Just recently in 2003, local residents sought out incorporation for the community so that they could preserve the area’s character of rich farmland, lovely homes, and thriving small businesses. Ideal as a commuter bedroom community, the town is actually divided by a five-lane highway that ensures quick and easy access to a major interstate and a regional airport. The rural charm, natural beauty, and convenient lifestyle of Mills River are making it one of the fastest growing areas on Western North Carolina.

Village of Flat Rock
Village Hall
828-697-8100
www.villageofflatrock.org

Chamber of Commerce
828-692-1413
www.hendersoncountychamber.org

The village of Flat Rock is so closely aligned with Henderson County’s leading city of Hendersonville that the two are often considered as one community. Flat Rock is home to a campus within the Blue Ridge Community College System, which provides higher education opportunities and cultural enrichment for the entire surrounding region. The college sponsors several series for the arts that showcase regional, national, and international talent. Both Hendersonville and Flat Rock enjoy an idyllic, picturesque location in the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area about 22 miles south of Asheville. Although Flat Rock began as a pioneer settlement in the early 1800s, the village did not incorporate until 1995. For more than a century, Flat Rock and Hendersonville have been a destination of choice for outdoor enthusiasts and vacationers. Residents of Flat Rock enjoy all the warmth and friendliness of a village atmosphere just minutes from Hendersonville’s historic downtown district, fine museums, and commercial conveniences.